Job ID: 112037

Doctoral (PhD) student position in Neuroplasticity and regeneration

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 15 July 2023

Contract Length: 4 years

City: Stockholm

Country: Sweden

Institution: Karolinska Institutet

Department: Neuroscience

Description:

An intriguing feature of the nervous system is plasticity, the remarkable lifelong capacity to change and adapt in light of intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. The doctoral project aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of the neuronal plasticity (mechanisms and structural changes) contribution to neuroprotection and regeneration of spinal networks after injury. Thus, our research can deliver new, essential knowledge regarding adult spinal networks’ organization and dynamic adaptations. Our results are expected to have a substantial impact because the experiments are designed to lay the groundwork for the development of new, targeted treatments for SCI and other spinal neurodegenerative diseases.

We are looking for a highly motivated Ph.D. student to join our group with a particular interest in neuroplasticity and regeneration. The offered position is part of ongoing projects regarding the plasticity of neuronal network organization and functionality under physiological (exercise/training) and pathophysiological conditions (injury). To address this issue, we take advantage of the experimental amenability of the genetically powerful model system of the zebrafish – whose circuitry is relatively simple, better understood, and produces a measurable and robust behavioral output.

The lab employs different approaches, from systems neuroscience to stem cell research, with a particular focus on electrophysiology, anatomy, and behavioral studies in adult zebrafish.

General eligibility requirement

ou meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/Ph.D. education if you:

  1. Have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e., master degree), or
  2. Have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the advanced/second-cycle/master level, or
  3. Have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

Specific duties and qualifications: 

  • Establishing and performing experiments in the adult zebrafish spinal cord
  • Designing behavioral tasks and training the animals
  • Planning zebrafish stocks and maintaining the animals
  • Collection and safe storage of imaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral data
  • Keeping detailed notes and meticulous updates of the lab book
  • Respect and follow the established lab rules.
  • Analysis of data and presentation of the results
  • Analysis of tissue imaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral data using adequate technologies
  • Organization of laboratory routines and corresponding documentation
  • Preparation of manuscript drafts and grant applications
  • Attending seminars, courses, and conferences.

Required skills:

  • Master of Science in biology, biomedicine, or equivalent, focusing on neuroscience.
  • Hands-on experience in neuroanatomy and/or neurophysiology.

Desirable skills:

Practical experience in intraperitoneal drug administrations, advanced tissue processing (whole mount immunohistochemistry), and analysis (quantified anatomical approaches) is meriting, as is experience with fish animal models. Additional advanced knowledge in imaging process (confocal microscopy) and analysis software (e.g., ImageJ, Fiji) is highly meriting.

For more information and to submit your application, please use the following link:

https://kidoktorand.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:633421/

Other information about Ampatzis Lab:

https://ki.se/en/neuro/ampatzis-laboratory-neuroplasticity-and-regeneration